Having Means To Control Coating Application Patents (Class 118/679)
  • Patent number: 7963245
    Abstract: A liquid application device includes a rotating unit for rotating an application member to apply liquid to a medium in contact with the application member, a liquid application unit including the application member, and a retention member for retaining liquid in a sealed liquid retention space formed to be in contact with the application member. The liquid application unit applies the liquid retained in the liquid retention space to the medium via the application member by rotating the application member. In addition, a control unit controls the rotating unit, wherein the control unit controls, after receiving information of instruction on applying liquid to the medium, the rotating unit to rotate, before the application member contacts the medium, the application member so that the rotating unit performs a preliminary rotation that forms a pool of the liquid in an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naomi Oshio, Osamu Iwasaki, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Naoji Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20110102809
    Abstract: An apparatus detecting the position of the functional layer of the electrode plate includes a first electrode plate sensor disposed at a side of a material to sense start points of electrode plates continuously formed on the material at uniform intervals, a second electrode plate sensor disposed at an other side of the material to sense a length of the electrode plate, a functional layer sensor provided behind the first electrode plate sensor and the second electrode plate sensor above a material traveling direction to sense position and length of the functional layer formed on the electrode by sensing a difference in color, and a controller feeding back a feedback result indicating whether the functional layer is correctly coated through values sensed by the first electrode plate sensor, the second electrode plate sensor, and the functional layer sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: So-Il MOON, Jae-Sang Hwang, Su-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7931462
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layerwise solidification of a building material in powder form at the positions in the respective layer that correspond to the object to be manufactured is provided. A work plane (4) is provided, in which successively layers of the building material in powder form, which are to be solidified, are applied and are partially solidified. An application device (5) for applying a layer of the building material in the work plane or onto a previously solidified layer of the building material has an application surface (53) facing the work plane (4). An adjustment device (59, 60, 54) is provided that is constructed such that an angle (?) between the application surface (53) and the work plane (4) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Thomas Mattes
  • Publication number: 20110027479
    Abstract: A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Greg Reineccius, Steven Schulz
  • Patent number: 7867576
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the quality of a pattern of fluid beads applied to a moving substrate measures time delays between the passage of a reference point on a substrate element and leading and trailing edges of a bead, the quality of which is to be measured. A time delay ratio is generated, and compared to a reference ratio. The result of the comparison is indicative of variations in the quality of the measured bead. The invention has utility in a variety of industries, including industries in which adhesive beads are applied to a substrate, such as the envelope and box industries. An apparatus in accordance with the invention may conveniently utilize non-contact sensors to monitor the passage of the substrate and beads, and further may advantageously monitor the leading edge of the substrate and leading and trailing edges of the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventors: Leonard Levin, Sophia Levin
  • Publication number: 20100310778
    Abstract: A method of applying a coating solution onto an upper surface of a glass plate that is transported in a substantially horizontal attitude, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method including the steps of transporting the glass plate into a coating chamber, and opening the plurality of coating nozzles which are positioned in a row at constant intervals therebetween along a curved shape of the upper surface of the glass plate in a width direction of the glass plate perpendicular to the direction of transporting the glass plate by the nozzle position adjusting means and the nozzle height adjusting means, to thereby inject the coating solution when the coating nozzles are located in a region of the upper surface of the glass plate which extends from the leading edge of the glass plate to the rear edge of the glass plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takafumi Shioi, Tadaaki Nakano, Shigeo Hamaguchi, Yoshinori Akamatsu, Nobuyuki Itakura
  • Patent number: 7836847
    Abstract: A system and method for use in applying a coating of a desired material onto one or more medical implant components. The system may include a thermal sprayer and a rotatable holding fixture having a plurality of mounting stations each operable to hold at least one medical implant component. The fixture may be operable to rotate about a central axis and each mounting station may be operable to rotate about a respective mounting station axis. The fixture may be arranged adjacent to the thermal sprayer so that during operation the desired material may be sprayed by the thermal sprayer upon an outer surface of each of the medical implant components while the fixture rotates about the central axis and while simultaneously therewith each of mounting stations having a respective medical implant component rotates about the respective mounting station axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Inframat Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lawrynowicz, Aiguo Wang, Zongtao Zhang, Jay Krajewski
  • Patent number: 7823534
    Abstract: A developer nozzle is moved from a periphery of a wafer toward the central portion while an exposed substrate held at a spin chuck is being rotated about a vertical axis and while a developing solution is being discharged from the developer nozzle, and this way the developing solution is supplied to the surface of the wafer, the developer nozzle having a slit-like ejection port whose longitudinal direction is oriented to the direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the wafer. The movement speed of the nozzle is higher than a case where a nozzle with a small-diameter circular nozzle is used, and this enables a development time to be reduced. Further, the thickness of a developing solution on a substrate can be reduced, so that the developing solution can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Ookouchi, Taro Yamamoto, Hirofumi Takeguchi, Hideharu Kyouda, Kousuke Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 7823536
    Abstract: An automatic waxing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The automatic waxing apparatus includes a movable door-shaped module, at least a waxing module and a controlling module. The movable door-shaped module includes a door-shaped structure capable of moving with respect to the vehicle. The waxing module disposed on the door-shaped structure includes a wax-supplying unit and a wax-polishing unit. The controlling module is coupled to the door-shaped structure, the wax-supplying unit and the wax-polishing unit. The controlling module, according to the information of the vehicle, determines a moving path of the door-shaped structure, a waxing path of the wax-supplying unit, and a polishing path of the wax-polishing unit with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hung-Chiao Cheng, Chia-Ming Liu, Ma-Tien Yang, Buh-Shiuh Teng
  • Patent number: 7823535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dispensing samples or reagents onto a target object are provided. A dispensing position designating section (62) designates the dispensing position on the target object (50), such as a membrane, based on an image of the target object (50) displayed on a monitoring section (60). A dispensing control section (64) positions the target object and the dispensing device relative to each other so that the designated dispensing position on the target object is placed beneath the dispensing device (10) and controls the dispensing operation of the dispensing device (10). A dispensing position information creating section (68) creates dispensing position information about the dispensing position on the target object (50) which is designated by the dispensing position designating section (62) and to which the dispensing operation has been performed and outputs it to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hanafusa, Kiyohiro Sugiyama, Masaru Furuta, Ryo Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki Akinaga, Keisuke Miyamoto, Ryuh Konoshita
  • Publication number: 20100272916
    Abstract: A tire dressing system includes an imaging device that captures an image of a vehicle tire or portion thereof and at least one application device that applies tire dressing to the tire based on the captured image. The system determines one or more tire parameters based on the captured image. The tire dressing system configures the at least one application device based on the tire parameter(s) such that the application device substantially restricts application of tire dressing to within the boundaries of the tire sidewalls. By determining the tire parameters, the tire dressing system may apply the tire dressing to the tire sidewalls while reducing or minimizing application of tire dressing to the body or rims of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Falbaum, Darren M. Jahnke, Paul R. Kraus, Paul S. Schilling, Mark Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20100272918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the plasma treatment of successive substrates comprising one or more steel products in which the substrates are transported, one after another, through at least one plasma treatment zone, characterized in that the electric power for generating the plasma in the treatment zone is varied according to the area of the substrate is present in this treatment zone when the substrate is running through this zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Pierre VANDENBRANDE
  • Patent number: 7815965
    Abstract: A microdeposition system microdeposits droplets of fluid material to define a feature pattern on a substrate. The feature pattern for the substrate is defined. A mask is created for the feature pattern that reduces a density of defects that occur due to a malfunctioning nozzle of the microdeposition head. The droplets of fluid material are microdeposited onto the substrate based on the mask to define sub-features of the feature pattern. One of the nozzles of the microdeposition head is assigned to each of the sub-features in the feature pattern. The nozzles may be assigned randomly or using other functions. The assigned nozzles in the mask are assigned to one of a plurality of passes of the microdeposition head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles O. Edwards, David Albertalli
  • Patent number: 7793611
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a solid film onto a substrate from a reagent solution includes a reservoir of solution maintained at a low temperature to inhibit homogeneous reactions. The solution contains multiple ligands to control temperature stability and shelf life. The chilled solution is periodically dispensed onto a substrate positioned in a holder having a raised peripheral structure that retains a controlled volume of solution over the substrate. The solution is periodically replenished so that only the part of the solution directly adjacent to the substrate is heated. A heater maintains the substrate at an elevated temperature at which the deposition of a desired solid phase from the solution may be initiated. The apparatus may also dispense excess chilled solution to cool various components within the apparatus and minimize nucleation of solids in areas other than on the substrate. The apparatus is particularly suited to forming films of II-VI semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sisom Thin Films LLC
    Inventor: Isaiah O. Oladeji
  • Patent number: 7785652
    Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance is provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. The system may include: a processor, an appliance support, and a solenoid type fluid dispensing head having an electromagnetically controlled valve. In the system, the appliance support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The solenoid type fluid dispensing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the solenoid type fluid dispensing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-ping (Samuel) Zhong, Dennis R. Boulais, Praveen Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7775178
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating abluminal surface of a stent is described. The apparatus includes a stent support, a coating device, and an imaging system. The coating device includes a solution reservoir and transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes a plurality of transducers and a controller. Each transducer is used to generate focused acoustic waves in the coating substance in the reservoir. A controller is communicated to an image system to enable the transducers to generate droplets on demand and at the predetermined ejection points on the surface of the coating substance to coat the stent. A method for coating a stent includes stent mounting, stent movement, and droplet excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yung Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7770537
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Avraham Shekalim, Ascher Shmulewitz
  • Patent number: 7752999
    Abstract: A wet processing system detects a globule of a process solution in a drippy or dripping state from the tip of any one of process solution pouring nozzles being moved to a pouring position for pouring the process solution onto a substrate by obtaining image data on the process solution pouring nozzle, and takes proper measures to prevent the process solution from dripping. A wet processing system 1 pours a process solution, such as a resist solution, through one of process solution pouring nozzles 10 onto a surface of a substrate, such as a wafer W, held substantially horizontally by a substrate holding device 41 surrounded by a cup 5 to process the surface by a wet process. A nozzle carrying mechanism 10a carries the process solution pouring nozzles 10 between a home position on a nozzle bath 14 and a pouring position above the substrate held by the substrate holding device 41. An optical image of the tips of the process solution pouring nozzles 10 is obtained by an image pickup means, such as a camera 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsunenaga Nakashima, Michio Kinoshita, Kousuke Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 7735448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of bonding garments with elastomers and particularly to a system and method to cut and hem in a garment in a continuous process and also a system and method to incorporate an elastic strip into a garment in a continuous process and a system and method to provide computer control of hemming, bonding, gathering and inserting an elastic strip into a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Rahimi Textile Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Shmuel Rahimi
  • Patent number: 7736918
    Abstract: Provided are a photoresist coating apparatus and a method of coating photoresist using the same. The apparatus includes a photoresist supply line through which photoresist is supplied. A fluid control valve is connected to the photoresist supply line to control the flow of the photoresist. A nozzle assembly is connected to the photoresist supply line at a rear end of the fluid control valve. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle located above the center of a semiconductor wafer loaded in a photoresist coating unit to spray the photoresist. A camera is located outside the photoresist coating unit to monitor the shape or spraying amount of the nozzle located at the tip of the nozzle assembly. A controller converts data monitored by the camera into an electric signal and processes the electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Nanofa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Joon Seo, Young-Jong Kwon
  • Patent number: 7730850
    Abstract: A spray application system for applying material to a surface of a rotating body such as a beverage can includes a detector that detects the actual speed of rotation of the surface during a spraying operation. This allows a controller to adjust trigger signals for the application device to be adjusted based on speed of rotation to minimize overcoat. A laser sensor may be used as an example. The use of the speed detector also allows for partial wraps as well as full wraps of applying material to the rotating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James Khoury, Drew Roberts, Lenzie Borders, Charles Nagy, Timothy Wilson
  • Patent number: 7709048
    Abstract: A method and device, for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of the stent only. A drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device is described. The device is further configured to apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness and to coat a portion of the medical device as a function of its geometric configuration. The coating is applied by moving an applicator over the device in a path that is independent of the deposited coating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Labcoat, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eyal Teichman, Avner Schrift
  • Patent number: 7690326
    Abstract: A system for controlling the coating width of an electrode plate, The system includes: a coating device which ejects a paste at a predetermined width from each of a plurality of slit nozzles toward a fed core substrate to form a coating layer on the surface of the core substrate; a gap controlling device which controls the gap between the slit nozzles of the coating device and the core substrate; a coating width measuring device which measures the width of the coating layer on the surface of the core substrate; and a controlling unit which controls the gap controlling device based on the results obtained by comparing the measured coating width with a predetermined coating width. In this system, the stripe-shaped coating layer is formed without using a masking tape, and the width of the coating layer is controlled with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Wakai, Kaoru Okinaga, Yukio Koike, Tomofumi Yanagi
  • Patent number: 7690909
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20100077959
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system realistically simulates airless spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. The user operates the instrumented airless spray gun controller which is instrumented with a tracking device and an electronic on/off switch for the trigger. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the airless spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to the setup parameters and the position and orientation of the airless spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Virtual spray pattern images are displayed in real time on the display screen in accordance with the accumulation of virtual spray pattern data at each location on the virtual surface. The primary purpose of the system is to enhance training.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeremiah G. Treloar, Christopher A. Lampe, Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, John Whiting, Richard J. Klein, II, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, Warren C. Couvillion, JR., Stephen R. Gray
  • Patent number: 7687099
    Abstract: A spray coating apparatus comprises a spray gun (12) operable to deposit a sprayed coating via a spray nozzle (18) onto a surface, a mapping means (22) associated with the spray gun (12) operable to ascertain and store topographical characteristics of the surface, a position sensor (28) operable to ascertain the position of the spray gun (12) relative to the surface, a coating thickness monitor (26) operable to ascertain the thickness of a coating applied to the surface, and a nozzle control means (24) operable to control the deposition of the sprayed coating, wherein the nozzle control means (24), in use, control the deposition of the sprayed coating in response to information provided by the position sensor (28), the coating thickness monitor (26) and the mapping means (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Paul Edward Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7622004
    Abstract: A slit die has a combined, opposing pair of lips. Between the lips, the die has a lip gap and a coating liquid discharge opening formed at the lower end of the lip gap. At least one of the lips is constituted of two blocks that are vertically layered over each other and relatively movable in the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the discharge opening. The slit die further has a block-engaging element for engaging the blocks together in such a way that relative positions of the blocks are adjustable, a block-fastening element for fastening the blocks together after their relative positions are adjusted, a positioning element attached to outer surfaces of the blocks, on the side opposite the discharge opening side, and defining the positions to which the blocks are relatively moved, and a fixing element for fixing the positioning element to the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawatake, Yoshiyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7611754
    Abstract: A microdeposition system microdeposit droplets of fluid material to define a feature pattern on a substrate. The feature pattern for the substrate is defined. A mask is created for the feature pattern that reduces a density of defects that occur due to a malfunctioning nozzle of the microdeposition head. The droplets of fluid material are microdeposited onto the substrate based on the mask to define subfeatures of the feature pattern. One of the nozzles of the microdeposition head is assigned to each of the sub-features in the feature pattern. The nozzles may be assigned randomly or using other functions. The assigned nozzles in the mask are assigned to one of a plurality of passes of the microdeposition head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: ULVAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles O. Edwards, David Albertalli
  • Patent number: 7597764
    Abstract: An interventional device for delivery of beneficial agent to a lumen and methods of loading and manufacture of the same, which include a prosthesis loaded with beneficial agent to provide a controlled dosage concentration of beneficial agent to the lumen. The beneficial agent is loaded onto the prosthesis by a fluid-dispenser having a dispensing element capable of dispensing the beneficial agent in discrete droplets, each droplet having a controlled trajectory. The method of loading beneficial agent includes dispensing beneficial agent in a raster format and/or an off-axis format along a dispensing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Donald Verlee, Peter Tarcha, Keith Cromack, Richard Quint
  • Patent number: 7563474
    Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance are provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. The system may include: a processor, an appliance support, and a solenoid type fluid dispensing head having an electromagnetically controlled valve. In the system, the appliance support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The solenoid type fluid dispensing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the solenoid type fluid dispensing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-ping Zhong, Dennis R. Boulais, Praveen Kulkarni, Ron Sahatijian
  • Patent number: 7547362
    Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a syringe having a nozzle provided at an end thereof, a body in which the syringe is mounted, a vertical driving stepping motor for moving the body in a vertical direction, a first sensor for detecting whether the nozzle of the syringe is in contact with a substrate, a second sensor for detecting a gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate, and a main unit for controlling the vertical driving stepping motor in response to an output from the second sensor to obtain a desired gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Su Jung, Yong-Keun Kwak
  • Patent number: 7491273
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device includes: an alignment material dropping unit with a head having a plurality of holes for dropping an alignment material on the substrate; an alignment material supply unit to supply the alignment material to the alignment material dropping unit; a scan unit to survey alignment material dropping from the head; and a monitor to display an image base upon scan data from the scan unit so that the discharge state of the plurality of holes in the head can be checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heon-Do Yun, Hyun-Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20090039772
    Abstract: A patterning apparatus for performing highly accurate patterning to substrates continuously transferred is provided. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element wherein such patterning apparatus is employed, an organic electroluminescence element and an organic electroluminescence display device obtained by using such manufacturing method are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Yousuke Takashima, Nobuhiko Takashima, Masaaki Murayama
  • Patent number: 7488388
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a flat panel display device includes a substrate on which a picture display section is formed and a stage on which the substrate is loaded. A dispenser applies a sealant along an outer line of the picture display section in the substrate. A light detector emits light toward the sealant and detects the amount of reflected light in real-time. A controller detects broken lines in the sealant in accordance with a signal supplied from the light detector and controls the dispenser so as to re-apply the sealant to spaces in the broken line in which the sealant is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Choon Ryu, Hae Joon Son
  • Publication number: 20090000546
    Abstract: A method of dispensing polyurethane foam from DOT-39 compliant tank, the method includes providing DOT-39 compliant tanks of each of the components of the polyurethane foam, each tank having at least two valves. At least one valve of each of the DOT-39 compliant tanks is connected to a source of pressure. At least one valve of each of the DOT-39 compliant tanks is connected to a dispenser to mix the components and dispense the foam under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Rueschhoff, Joseph C. Lott
  • Patent number: 7391036
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface inspection method and apparatus for inspecting a surface of a sample, in which a resistive film is coated on the surface, and a beam is irradiated to the surface having the resistive film coated thereon, to thereby conduct inspection of the surface of the sample. In the surface inspection method of the present invention, a resistive film having an arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is first coated on a surface of a sample. Thereafter, a part of the resistive film having the arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is dissolved in a solvent, to thereby reduce the thickness of the resistive film to a desired level. This enables precise control of a value of resistance of the resistive film and suppresses distortion of an image to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Hatakeyama, Kenji Watanabe, Takeshi Murakami, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji
  • Patent number: 7349755
    Abstract: A processor-based system for monitoring and optimizing an electrocoating operation comprising at least one data acquisition module configured to receive characteristics of the electrocoating operation and at least one process control module in communication with the at least one data acquisition module and the electrocoating operation. An electrocoating process that includes such a process or based system and methods of using the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Contos, Michael J. Bourdeau, Lonnie L. Pillar, Robert A. Sailer
  • Patent number: 7294204
    Abstract: An apparatus for painting traffic marks on a road surface without requiring any professional painting skills. The apparatus having: a first support and second support being parallel to each other and a coupling unit to couple the supports. There is also a gantry unit, having: at least one Y-axial gantry coupled to and being movable along the first and second support, and an X-axial gantry coupled to the Y-axial gantry to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the first support and second support. The apparatus further includes: a jet unit coupled to the X-axial gantry, with a jet nozzle to spray paint downwards; a feeding device, having a first feeding unit to move the Y-axial gantry and a second feeding unit to move the X-axial gantry. There may be a third feeding unit to move the jet unit. There is also a control unit to control operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Joongang Hak Wonco., Ltd
    Inventors: Daehie Hong, Jung Yup Kim, Hyun Ho Shin, Jae Bong Shin, Woo Chang Lee, In Ju Hwang, Tae Hyung-Kim
  • Publication number: 20070237887
    Abstract: A varnishing device and a procedure for the application of varnish with such a varnishing device, wherein the varnishing device has a varnish repository, a dosing pump connected with the varnish repository, a varnish output device which is connected to the dosing pump via a hose line, and a control device which acts on the dosing pump. A volume compensation device is connected to the hose line having a compensation volume which is connected to the interior of the hose line. The compensation volume can be changed through an externally acting pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Udo Klein, Volker Weiss
  • Publication number: 20070224351
    Abstract: A droplet jetting applicator includes a coating unit jetting and coating droplets to a to-be-coated object; a storage space storing the to-be-coated object coated with the droplets; an exhaust section exhausting gas in the storage space; an adjustment unit adjusting an outlet flow of the gas exhausted by the exhaust section from the storage space; and a control section controlling the adjustment unit so that the outlet flow is changed in a stepwise manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Haruhiko Ishihara, Atsushi Kinase
  • Publication number: 20070215045
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating film forming apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 includes a coating unit 11, a coating material supply unit 10, and a control unit 12. The coating unit 11 contains a holding unit 18 for holding a substrate 4, a coating nozzle 19, and a movable unit 20. The coating nozzle 19 is provided with a slit for discharge coating material to an inner circumferential surface, formed in annular shape. The movable unit 20 moves the coating nozzle 19 along a shaft center P of the substrate 4. The control unit 12 controls to apply coating material 7 to an outer circumferential surface 4c of the substrate 4 from a lower end 4a upward in order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Michitaka HIGAKI, Takayuki Yoshii, Yasuomi Mikami, Kentaroh Yajima
  • Publication number: 20070209586
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. Alternatively, the system includes a head-mounted display unit that displays a virtual spray painting environment in which the virtual surface is defined. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Richard J. Klein, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, James B. Fisher, Leslie C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7238239
    Abstract: A liquid coating device and method for coating a coatable composition on a workpiece to form a coating, wherein a parameter indicative of barometric pressure is measured and at least one thickness-affecting process parameter is adjusted in order to compensate for the effects of variations in barometric pressure on coating thickness uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Daggett, Daniel J. Williams, Kevin G. Kemp, Joseph W. Cayton
  • Patent number: 7094292
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for depositing oil paints, acrylics, or other textural paints provides a means for automating the process of painting a picture. The process can be programmed into a data base which is stored and used at will, or the artist can utilize control means such as a joy stick to provide real-time input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: John N. Randall, Christian H. Seidler, Charles D. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7090726
    Abstract: A pair of hoses connects directly from the feed pumps to the extruder without utilizing a PCV (pressure compensating valve). Each feed unit has automatic air pressure relief through a solenoid valve on top of the feed unit so that the unit does not stall at full static line pressure. When the dispense valve at the extruder is shut off, air pressure to the air motor is dumped. A pair of electric eyes is utilized—the first signals the pump (by providing pressurized air) to provide pressure while the second actually opens the extruder when the article to be coated comes into position. The first valve is located only a short distance ahead of the second valve so that the line pressure does not have a chance to exceed the dynamic pressure before the extruder opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: J. Robert Degenkolb, William A. Stusek
  • Patent number: 7063747
    Abstract: A coating control system and method for monitoring and potentially adjusting system at least one spray property at various stages of the painting process, thereby also providing an efficient set-up and monitoring process involving less manual labor, less waste, and less harmful exhaust to the atmosphere, wherein the coating control system includes at least one spray gun, at least one light emitting source and at least one receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Eric J. Lastowka
  • Patent number: 7001466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an automatic and continuous supply of coating material to a coating applicator in optical fiber fabrication. The present invention switches from one coating reservoir to another by way of a transitional period in which both coating reservoirs are supplying coating material to the coating applicator. For example, while an in-use reservoir is supplying the coating material to the coating applicator, a standby reservoir is being filled, settled to off gas air bubbles and then slowly pressurized. A sized orifice is used to slowly bleed off pressure from the in-use reservoir at a rate that does not allow the pressure in the in-use reservoir from falling out of a desired pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fitel USA Corp.
    Inventors: Siu-Ping Hong, Jason W. Shiroishi, James A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 6997992
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Dimension Bond Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 6977013
    Abstract: A central controller for a powder coating system has a single processor connected to a memory, a gun controller input/output device and gun control logic for controlling a characteristic of a spray gun. An air flow controller input/output device and air flow control logic for controlling a characteristic of a pump providing air flow may also be included. A process input/output device for electrically communicating with a process input or a process output may also be included. Part identification and tracking logic, gun triggering logic, gun movement logic, booth control logic, part profiling logic and system monitoring and logging logic may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph G. Schroeder, Vince Bednarz, Jeffrey Perkins, Stephen Nemethy
  • Patent number: 6936106
    Abstract: An integrated paint quality control (IPQC) system for feedback control of paint process for painting vehicle bodies includes a film thickness sensor system for measuring paint film thickness of the painted bodies. The IPQC system also includes a control system communicating with the film thickness sensor system for receiving information of the paint film thickness and combining the paint film thickness information with paint automation parameters on a vehicle identification number (VIN) basis of the painted bodies to control the paint process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, Steve A. Weiner, P. Tomas Larsson